Welcome to the official CQUniversity Student Blog – CQUniLife. This blog follows the experiences of a diverse group of CQUniversity students from different countries, studying various programs and at various campuses throughout Australia.

Before we get to the business side of things, I think it’s important to take a minute to recognise that negative self-talk isn’t worth it. Most of us are guilty of it (I know I am), and sometimes it can be hard to control, but trust me…it’s not doing you any favours. I’m talking about phrases like ‘I’ll never get it done on time’, ‘I’m not smart enough’, or my personal favourite, ‘everyone else is so much better at this than me’.

If you need a little help to start feeling positive, take some time to explore the self-help resources that are available to you. There is some great content on the Get Optimistic About Learning (GOAL) Student Portal site.

GOAL includes eight modules that you can browse through at your own pace covering everything from self-esteem and wellness to managing time and exam hints.

Don’t forget the ALC also have material on their Moodle site, and on-campus workshops you can attend to help out with practical aspects of study, like writing essays, reports and referencing.

Thinking about my own studies, I realise I’ve rarely needed a cup of tea and a chat like I did during the final weeks of term. In one of our first blog posts, we stressed the importance of your support network. It’s time to act on that advice.

Go for a walk, study with a friend somewhere outside in the fresh air, make time to go to dinner, or simply pop over for a cuppa. Study is challenging. It’s OK to take some time out to recharge with friends and family.

I am a CQUni alumnus, who graduated back in 2010. Straight after graduating, I took a job in media, and later returned to CQUni working full-time as Student Communications Assistant. I remember all too well the panic fuelled ‘all-nighters’, getting lost on campus, confusion over systems, and the general feeling of being unsure. I'm excited to share my experiences and provide some insights into university life.